Exploiting the Polypharmacology of beta-Carbolines to Disrupt O. volvulus Molting

摘要

Onchocerciasis is an infection caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus, which can eventually result in blindness. The lack of an effective macrofilaricide and the possible development of ivermectin-resistant strains of O. volvulus necessitate the, need for alternative treatment strategies. We have shown that targeting the L3-stagespecific chitinase OvCHT1 impairs the shedding of the filarial cuticle. In our continued efforts to discover OvCHT1 inhibitors, we identified the beta-carboline alkaloid scaffolding as a chitinase inhibitor that is capable of penetrating the worm cuticle. Herein, we disclose the rich polypharmacology of the beta-carboline class of compounds as an approach to abrogate the molting of the parasite and thus the initiation of infection in the human host.